The programme equals an average investment of around £68,800 per pub, though 108 sites will receive full transformations costing £145,000 or more.
Investment breakdown
- Total investment: £44.5m across 647 pubs
- Headline average: ~£68,800 per pub
- 108 pubs to receive major refurbishments of £145,000 or more
- Approx. £15.7m allocated to these larger schemes
- Remaining £28.8m spread across 539 pubs
- Average investment for remaining sites: ~£53,500 per pub
850 new jobs
The investment, which is 10% higher than Heineken UK’s 2025 spend, is expected to create 850 jobs. Of the 647 pubs set to benefit, 536 are independently operated by licensees, while 111 are operator managed, non-branded venues.
Star said the programme will focus on improving pub environments, including bars, gardens, sports areas and entertainment spaces, as well as essential building works.
Chris Moore, property director at Star Pubs, told The Morning Advertiser (MA) the investment was part of a longer-term strategy, with Heineken UK having invested more than £300m in its pub estate since 2018.
He said: “The way to beat those pressures is to sell more, to increase your revenue. That’s what the investment’s about.
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“It’s about creating great pubs, attracting and working with great licensees.”
Moore said the £44.5m would be spent on “creating great consumer spaces”, including redecoration, fixtures and fittings, lighting, zoning and amenities such as darts boards and pool tables.
He added: “The majority of it goes on the big transformational schemes. So that’s where the money goes.”
The programme includes a strong focus on sport ahead of the World Cup, with investment in darts, pool, larger screens and outdoor screens. Around a quarter of the bigger refurbishments will focus on improving sports facilities.
Moore said sports investment had helped attract new customers and encourage existing customers to stay longer or visit more regularly.
He added: “The vast majority of our investments work for our licensees and work for us.”
Contemporary pub model
Star will also trial a contemporary pub model aimed at broadening the local pub’s appeal across day parts.
The format is expected to include coffee, work-friendly spaces, power points, Wi-Fi, entertainment areas, DJs, live music and a more stripped-back design.
Moore said: “We’re not exclusively targeting young customers. Our pubs are designed for all age groups.”
The investment comes amid wider activity across Star Pubs and Heineken UK. Plant-based brand THIS has launched its THIS Isn’t Beef Burger across 130 Star Pubs sites.
Star Pubs food development manager Karl Watts said the move responds to growing demand for “high-quality plant-based options that don’t compromise on taste”.
Heineken UK also announced leadership changes last week, with Star Pubs operations director Mick Howard appointed Heineken UK on-trade director from 1 June, succeeding Will Rice, who will become managing director of Beavertown Brewery.
Against this backdrop, Moore said continued investment remained key to helping pubs compete.
He added: “There are challenges, but you’ve got to face them. This is a way to combat that, creating great pubs, and great pubs will always thrive.”
